Did you know that some people have a higher risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer because of a gene called BRCA (Breast Cancer) gene? In Europe, about 1 in 500 people inherit a mutated BRCA gene, which can increase their risk of cancer from 45% to 87% for women. For the longest long time, doctors in Asia didn’t have enough information about how this gene affects Asian women.
Thanks to the work of Malaysian researchers at Cancer Research Malaysia and the University of Nottingham (Malaysia campus), we now have a better understanding. They conducted a study that is the largest of its kind, focusing on cancer risk in Asian women with the BRCA mutation. This study provides crucial information that can help these women make decisions about cancer screening and prevention.
Professor Datin Paduka Dr Teo Soo Hwang, the Chief Scientist Officer at Cancer Research Malaysia and lead researcher of the study said, “this study is part of our work over the past 20 years to find better ways to detect breast cancer early and save lives. Until recently, only 5% of genetic studies were done on Asians. We’re happy that by focusing on Asians, we can help them benefit from advances in medicine too.”
Women with the BRCA mutation face tough decisions. They may choose to have surgery to remove healthy breasts or ovaries to reduce their cancer risk. Or they may opt for more frequent or different types of screening to catch cancer early if it develops. But to make these decisions, they need accurate information about their cancer risk. For instance, a woman with a higher risk of breast cancer might make different choices compared to a woman with a lower risk.
Dr. Ho Weang Kee, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham and first author of the study, emphasized the importance of research collaboration said “figuring out the disease risk in BRCA carriers needs a lot of information. Our study is a great example of teamwork. We brought together brilliant minds from Singapore, University of Cambridge, and Malaysia. This teamwork helped us learn more about breast and ovarian cancer risks in Asian BRCA carriers. It’s a big step forward in making better healthcare choices.”
The Cancer Research Malaysia-Nottingham team won a global Basser grant to study the lifestyle and genetic factors that affect cancer risk in Asian women with the BRCA gene. This grant will help create tools to give Asian women more precise information about their cancer risk, which will improve prevention and treatment strategies.
“This marks a significant advance in saving lives in Asia through better guidance. Accurate details are crucial for genetic counseling, allowing us to work closely with patients and help them make well-informed decisions,” said Yoon Sook-Yee, a genetic counsellor at Cancer Research Malaysia.
The study was made possible thanks to funding from different sources and the commitment of participants, researchers, doctors, and support staff from hospitals in Malaysia and Singapore. Their efforts have led to a deeper understanding of cancer risk in Asian women and will help save lives in the future.
Join Us in Advancing Cancer Prevention and Treatment. Donate to Cancer Research Malaysia for Better Understanding and Management of BRCA Gene Mutations in Asian Women.
On the Donation page, under Step 3 > How did you hear about us? Please select ‘Blogpost’ from the dropdown options.
Cancer Research Malaysia 200001007481 (510087-M) 